Karl Marx opined long ago that religion serves as an opiate to diminish the ability of the masses to revolt against oppressive conditions being visited on them by societal elites. Marx has been trenchantly critiqued for ignoring the salvific elements of religion. However, if Marx had been in Cameroon today, he would not only focus on religion; his analytical gaze would also fall on football (soccer). Many Cameroonians have been so intoxicated by football that national life sometimes almost turn on this sport. In addition to the fact that many Cameroonians spend time watching European league matches, the joy of the nation sometimes turns on how the national team performs on the international stage. This was clearly demonstrated last week when Cameroon national team drew 0-0 against Senegal in Cameroon's capital, Yaounde. The national team needed to win this match in order to improve Cameroon's chances of participating in the African Nations Cup, the most prestigious football event in the continent, that takes place next year. The draw jeopardized Cameroon's chances of being part of the tournament. Since the 1980s, Cameroon has been a regular participant at this tournament. Most young Cameroonians do not remember a time when the country has not participated in this tournament. Thus, the draw and the prospect that the country may not be part of the tournament was too much to bear. Immediately after the match against Senegal, there was widespread rioting in Yaounde, leading to at least two deaths. By this act, some Cameroonians demonstrated that they may endure poverty and Biya's dictatorship but they cannot bear to see their national football team become a laughing stock. I wish they could take other matters of urgent national relevance that seriously. We would probably not still have Biya as president today if Cameroonians worried about the overall well-being of their country as they do football. Knowing that the people love their football, Biya is pulling all the stops to appease them. When the national team wins, the people win, and Biya wins.
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